Inflatable Kayak Blog

I’ve been planning to write a blog on “How to Choose a Kayak Paddle”, especially for new paddlers, for the last year or so and I’ve been putting it off because there are sooooo many variations to explain. The blog would be so long and detailed that it would probably either give you a headache or cause you to not even want to take up a paddle sport. I’ve heard and read suggestions of all types in choosing a kayak paddle based on how tall you are, what kind of paddling you’re going to do and what type of kayak you have. They all make sense in one way or another. However, after talking with Stuart Lee of Cannon Paddles, I came to this conclusion … “personal preference”. Stuart is over six foot tall and uses a shorter paddle than most on the market, which breaks all the “rules” of choosing a paddle. And he designs paddles! Good ones, at that. That size paddle fits his paddling style and personal preference. It’s that simple. His suggestion for new paddlers is that they should, if possible, try to borrow paddles to test and see if they like them. If you don’t have that kind of access, just start out with an inexpensive paddle, one that came with your kayak package or some general all-purpose model. Then as your paddling technique develops, you’ll have a much better idea of the type of paddle that will fit your needs more perfectly.

I often get asked about the difference between the various materials used in making kayak paddles. The main question is … which is the best material? To be honest, there’s really no good answer. Materials used to construct paddles determine their weight, durability and flexibility. The choices range from the old-fashioned traditional material – wood, to plastic, fiberglass, aluminum, carbon graphite or even Kevlar. The more ‘space age’ the material is, the higher the price. That doesn’t always mean that more expensive is better. Each type of material has its own feel, flex and weight. All these factors must be considered in combination depending on how the paddle is being used. Bottom line is that personal preference is the best deciding factor in your paddle material decision. They’ll all move water and that’s the ultimate goal. Happy paddling!

Many paddlers take drip rings off their kayak paddles during the summer, enjoying the silence of entry into the water rather than having water dripping back onto their hands. But in winter, when the water is cold, it’s a good idea to slip the rings back on. The rings should be positioned just outside the hands, not down near the blade where they will be submerged on each stroke. If your drip rings go below the surface, all of the water on the paddle shaft above the rings will run down to your hands, causing them to chill much quicker. Using a lower and slower paddle stroke is also helpful in keeping the cold water from running to your hands.

This tip is more for beginners than experienced paddlers. Most kayak paddles on the market today have an optional placement setting when clipping the shafts together. There are two holes. One will align the paddles square or parallel to each other. The other setting aligns them in an offset mode. If you’re right handed, twist the right side of the shaft so the blade rotates toward you. If you are left-handed, twist the left side instead.
To paddle with offset blades, keep your dominant hand firm around the shaft and the other hand loose. The paddle will twist through your loose hand with each stroke while your dominant hand controls the blade angle. This technique often allows for better muscle efficiency than parallel-bladed paddles resulting in a smoother and less ‘twisting’ stroke.

As outdoor enthusiasts, we all want to protect the environment so we can continue to enjoy it. Re-cycling and cutting back on waste are ways that we can all make a contribution to our future generations. There’s an online effort called FreeCycle that encourages people to give away unwanted items rather than toss them in the dumpster. A recent article on Yahoo details the group and it’s good work.

It makes sense to our family. Re-cycling is an attitude, a thought process where you consider another’s use for something before heaving it in the trash heap. We’ve recycled some old barrels and received some tomato plants among other things. When you get that new extra light Cannon paddle, you could offer your old one up on FreeCycle or make it available to a novice kayaker. It’s free to join. Find a group near you and save some landfill space.